ODETTE (Organisation for Data Exchange by Tele-Transmission in Europe) - Document Structure

The ODETTE (Organisation for Data Exchange by Tele-Transmission in Europe) standard is an EDI format used primarily in the European automotive industry for communication between manufacturers and suppliers. ODETTE's message structure focuses on the logistics, material ordering, and shipping processes, and it is built similarly to other EDI standards but with its own terminology and structure.

1. Message Structure Overview

The structure of an ODETTE document consists of multiple levels:

• Transmission Envelope: Contains all the messages.
• Message: Contains specific business transactions.
• Segment: Contains groups of related data elements.
• Data Elements: The smallest unit of information in a segment.

Each message in ODETTE is defined by a unique identifier and contains the following key components:

• Message Header: The beginning of a message.
• Message Body: Contains the actual business data.
• Message Trailer: Marks the end of a message and provides control information.

2. Transmission Structure

The transmission structure in ODETTE acts as the outer envelope for all messages being exchanged.

a. UNB Segment (Interchange Header)

• Purpose: Marks the start of a transmission.
• Key Data Elements:
  • Syntax Identifier (UNB01)
  • Sender's Identification (UNB02)
  • Recipient's Identification (UNB03)
  • Transmission Date and Time (UNB04, UNB05)
  • Interchange Control Reference (UNB06)

Example:

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDERID+RECEIVERID+240814:1530+000001'

b. UNZ Segment (Interchange Trailer)

• Purpose: Marks the end of the transmission.
• Key Data Elements:
  • Number of Messages (UNZ01)
  • Interchange Control Reference (UNZ02): Matches the reference in the UNB segment.

Example:

UNZ+1+000001'

3. Message Structure

An ODETTE message is a container for the transaction data, whether it's an order, delivery, or shipment-related information. Each message contains header, body, and trailer segments.

a. UNH Segment (Message Header)

• Purpose: Marks the start of the message.
• Key Data Elements:
  • Message Reference Number (UNH01)
  • Message Type Identifier (UNH02): Identifies the type of message, such as DELJIT (Delivery Just-in-Time) or ORDERS (Purchase Order).
  • Version and Release Number (UNH03, UNH04)

Example:

UNH+000001+DELJIT:D:96A:UN'

b. UNT Segment (Message Trailer)

• Purpose: Marks the end of a message.
• Key Data Elements:
  • Number of Segments (UNT01)
  • Message Reference Number (UNT02): Matches the number in the UNH segment.

Example:

UNT+10+000001'

4. Message Types and Examples

ODETTE provides different message types tailored to specific business processes within the automotive industry. Below are examples of common ODETTE messages:

a. ORDERS Message (Purchase Order)

• Purpose: Used to place orders for materials or components.

Example of an ORDERS Message:

UNH+000001+ORDERS:D:96A:UN'
BGM+220+ORD12345+9'
DTM+137:20240814'
NAD+BY+SENDERID'
NAD+SU+SUPPLIERID'
LIN+1++PARTID:BP'
QTY+21:100'
UNT+7+000001'

• BGM (Beginning of Message): Specifies the order number.
• DTM (Date/Time/Period): Specifies the order date.
• NAD (Name and Address): Identifies the buyer (BY) and supplier (SU).
• LIN (Line Item): Identifies the ordered part.
• QTY (Quantity): Specifies the quantity ordered.

b. DELJIT Message (Delivery Just-in-Time)

• Purpose: Informs the supplier of delivery schedules to ensure timely deliveries.

Example of a DELJIT Message:

UNH+000002+DELJIT:D:96A:UN'
BGM+241+DELJIT12345+9'
DTM+137:20240814'
NAD+BY+SENDERID'
NAD+SU+SUPPLIERID'
LIN+1++PARTID:BP'
QTY+21:50'
UNT+7+000002'

• BGM (Beginning of Message): Contains the delivery schedule reference number.
• DTM (Date/Time/Period): Specifies the date for delivery.
• NAD (Name and Address): Identifies the buyer (BY) and supplier (SU).
• LIN (Line Item): Identifies the item being delivered.
• QTY (Quantity): Specifies the delivery quantity.

c. RECADV Message (Receiving Advice)

• Purpose: Acknowledges the receipt of goods from the supplier.

Example of a RECADV Message:

UNH+000003+RECADV:D:96A:UN'
BGM+351+RECADV12345+9'
DTM+137:20240814'
NAD+BY+SENDERID'
NAD+SU+SUPPLIERID'
LIN+1++PARTID:BP'
QTY+21:50'
UNT+7+000003'

• BGM (Beginning of Message): Provides the receipt advice number.
• DTM (Date/Time/Period): Specifies the date of receipt.
• NAD (Name and Address): Identifies the buyer and supplier.
• LIN (Line Item): Identifies the received item.
• QTY (Quantity): Specifies the received quantity.

5. Segments and Data Elements

Each message in ODETTE is composed of segments, which in turn contain data elements. Segments are identified by a three-letter code, and data elements are separated by the plus sign (+). Sub-elements within a data element are separated by a colon (:).

• Segment Code: A three-letter identifier that defines the segment type.
• Data Elements: Pieces of information within a segment, separated by the + delimiter.
• Sub-elements: Additional data within a data element, separated by a colon (:).

Example of Segments:

• UNH Segment:

  UNH+000001+DELJIT:D:96A:UN'

  • 000001: Message Reference Number.
  • DELJIT: Message Type Identifier (Delivery Just-in-Time).
  • D:96A: Version and Release Number.
  • UN: Controlling Agency.

• LIN Segment (Line Item):

  LIN+1++PARTID:BP'

  • 1: Line Item Number.
  • PARTID
    : Part Number and Code.

• QTY Segment (Quantity):

  QTY+21:50'

  • 21: Quantity Qualifier (e.g., ordered or delivered quantity).
  • 50: Quantity.

6. Delimiters

Like other EDI standards, ODETTE uses delimiters to separate different elements in a message:

• Segment Terminator: Apostrophe ('), marking the end of a segment.
• Data Element Separator: Plus sign (+), separating individual data elements.
• Sub-element Separator: Colon (:), separating sub-elements within a data element.

Example: Full Structure of an ODETTE DELJIT Message

UNB+UNOA:2+SENDERID+RECEIVERID+240814:1530+000001'
UNH+000001+DELJIT:D:96A:UN'
BGM+241+DELJIT12345+9'
DTM+137:20240814'
NAD+BY+SENDERID'
NAD+SU+SUPPLIERID'
LIN+1++PARTID:BP'
QTY+21:50'
UNT+7+000001'
UNZ+1+000001'

7. Common ODETTE Message Types

• ORDERS: Purchase Orders.
• DELJIT: Delivery Just-in-Time.
• RECADV: Receiving Advice.
• DESADV: Despatch Advice (Shipping Notice).
• INVOIC: Invoice.